Surge in Expression of Carboxylesterase 1 During the Post-neonatal Stage Enables a Rapid Gain of the Capacity to Activate the Anti-influenza Prodrug Oseltamivir

The post-neonatal surge in CES1 expression ensures the hydrolytic capacity to be gained rapidly after birth in infants, but the larger variability during this period suggests that caution should be exercised on the extrapolated dosing regimens of ester drugs from other age groups.